Broadway: Phantom of the Opera

Since it’s Broadway week, my mother decided to treat the family via purchasing discounted, orchestra-level seats to one of Broadway’s longest running musicals, The Phantom of the Opera.

For those who don’t know, The Phantom of the Opera recalls the fateful events that happened at the Paris Opera House in 1911. Christine Daae, who is part of the dance ensemble, has been taking voice lessons from a mysterious figure who lives within the opera house. This figure, known as the Phantom, uses his influence and powers to seduce (in a way) Christine into singing his music and coercing the managers to cast her as the lead roles for the majority of opera roles. What follows is a gothic story of seduction, betrayal, unrequited love and danger. (Damn good summary if I do say so myself).

This was my first experience watching the show. I had no previous knowledge of the show & story line and its origins, my only encounter with anything Phantom-esque was a photo of my dad dressed as the Phantom for Halloween.

That being said, it was fantastic. I immediately fell in love with the story, the music, the costumes…everything. When the orchestration started, I realized that I knew the music from when I was a child and found myself mouthing the lyrics. Turns out my mother used to play the cassette tape (so cultured).

Having worked at an opera house in Firenze when I studied abroad, I really appreciated the operatic singing and the whole setting taking place in an opera house. The costumes were so exquisite! Rich colors, sparkles, seemingly luxurious fabrics and wonderful fashions–I am a sucker for period piece clothing. I also thought the music perfectly accompanied the play–dark and synthy, romantic and grand. I mean, how could you not love this track?

Also, the lyrics of “The Music of the Night” are chill-inducing. In a good way.

But what I really loved most of all was the story. I am jealous of the writer Gaston Leroux for creating this fantastic tale. I think the fact that the production of horror movies, musicals and a movie based on the musical stemming from the novel is a testament to the greatness of the story. At its core, a man falls in love with a woman. Now make that man deformed, a dark and twisted member of the shadows of society, but a musical genius and make that woman his singing protege. Throw in another man to make it a complicated love triangle. Set the story in a theatrical business, where everything and anything could be an act. Etc etc etc. Freaking genius. Give me your imagination please, Leroux.

My favorite character was the Phantom. Such a dark figure! He suffers from his rejection of society, struggles between the dark and the light. He is a lover of all things night, but that’s due to his condition and reacting to his environment. I think that people secretly like the Phantom because sometimes, he so readily embraces his demons–murdering those who deny him or punishing those who stand in his way. Is it evil? Yes, but in a small way it is a bold almost admirable act. Or maybe I just like complicated characters.

I was so easily influenced by the darkness of this play. On the train ride home I tried to write a few short story synapses for my upcoming fiction assignments…let’s just say a lot of elements dealt with death, the occult and negative aspects of the human condition. Whoops.

As I might have said earlier, I’ve become obsessed with this story. I’ve been listening to the soundtrack non-stop. I want to read the novel and watch all the movies. I’m sure Broadway purists would tell me that the best version is the original London cast. The performers the night I went were Trista Moldovan as Christine Daae & James Romick as the Phantom, and they were pretty good. I just wish James had a manlier voice.

But overall, Phantom of the Opera was great. If anything, I can definitely count on this play being an inspiration for any future stories I plan on writing. It’s that good. Go see it before it closes. That’s an order.

Another one for the playbill collection!

Tags: Broadway, The Phantom of the Opera, gothic, story, music, review, impressions, inspiration

In Other News

So second semester of senior year is coming up, in about 3 or 4 days.

I could not be less excited to go back…and graduate and move on with my life.

Is that strange? The majority of my friends and colleagues have been saying things along the lines of “I’m going to miss this, I never want to leave.” But I feel the exact opposite. I look back on my current and past experiences, and I can see the life I will have after college.

Sure, I might miss school every now and then. It’ll be bittersweet, graduating in May. But I think I’m mentally prepared to move on.

When I stop to think about all that this beautiful, short life of ours has to offer, I know I wouldn’t want to spend anymore time in university.

The world is my oyster (cliche alert!) and I plan on freaking enjoying it.

Mmmm oysters

In Other News:

I want to be somewhat of an asshole and play this song ALL of May: 

In Other Other News:

I am suffering from major writing ADD. I can’t stick with one idea! You think I would’ve learned by now…

Tags: college, experience, graduation, life, Vitamin C song, world, writing

Small Steps Forward: Real World Status

You know that anxious feeling you get when all your friends around you are getting internships and you’re not? Days after the deadlines have passed, you submitted everything on time and yet you still here nothing, so you start to make alternative plans in case it turns out you’re not as eligible as you thought you were. You’re filled with dread as you check your e-mail obsessively and repeatedly looking for confirmations or denials.

And then.

That moment (after you send out follow up emails), that indescribable moment of such elation and joy I can’t find a word for it in the English language, when  you receive that magical email that asks for an interview.

OH, HAPPY DAY! Maybe I have talent after all.

I just really want to express my relief and happiness that I’ve scored some interviews and some trial freelancing work. I’m not going to mention names or places, but I’m happy that these companies are interested in me.  Writers are needed and wanted everywhere, but it’s still difficult to land a job, let alone an internship.

And lots of writers go through periods of doubt. You’re always questioning whether anything you’ve ever written is worth reading or maybe if you sent in the right sample piece or if you think you might actually have the caliber of writing their looking for. When you have a craft and it is all you know, things can get pretty serious and dark.

That being said…One interview done, and one to go.

Things are looking up. Now the trick is to ace the interviews and land the internship.

The main goal here: to always be writing!

Tags: application, internship, jobs, process, real world, talent, writing

The Obligatory New Year’s Resolutions Post

New Years Eve is almost here (ah no way), which means everyone is making their list of resolutions.

Let’s look at that word for a minute. Resolution. According to Dictionary.com, a resolution is a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usuallyafter voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club,or other group. The majority of the time resolutions are solutions, people trying to fix things.

So when people make New Years Resolutions, they usually do with the idea in mind that they need to fix some quality about themselves. Maybe it’s to lose weight, or stop cursing. Maybe it’s to pick up a hobby, or to be more social.

We know that resolutions are made because we want to better ourselves, we want to change. The time that seems most appropriate is, of course, the start of the new year. And I get that. I want to change for the better too.

However, I think we as a society should change our approach to the resolutions. Everyone should stop viewing their resolutions as a way to “fix themselves.” Instead, think of your resolutions as “promises.”

We make promises to other people ALL THE TIME. (Whether we keep them or not, well that’s a different story). Why not make promises to ourselves? We’d be more driven to keep them, because no one wants to be disappointed in themselves.

I also suggest that we make one resolution at a time. Start off small. One promise per month. If you’re good at it, keep it up. Add more to your list of changes. See how much you can handle. You know, baby steps.

For example, my first promise for the new year is to drink water every day. Next month, I’ll add another promise.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Tags: changes, new year, New Years Eve, promises, resolutions

Surviving No Pants November

It is officially December 1st. I am free!

For those of you who don’t know what No Pants November is, here’s a quick run-down: With a concept similar to No Shave November/ Movember, No Pants November states that you must go without pants for all 30 days. I don’t think this is anything official, but it was something my friends came up with when I studied abroad. My roommate and I decided to do it this year.

This is a feat that would be much easier for women than men because we have a wider variety of clothes for the fall/winter season, unless a guy plans on wearing a kilt.

One of the challenges of No Pants November is that I do not own a pair of leggings. I do not believe leggings are an acceptable form of clothing, unless they are those awesome liquid-leather looking ones. If I did have leggings (like my roommate) I would’ve had a much easier time with this event.

With the exception of one work day (where khaki pants are necessary for the uniform) I braved the indecisive November weather without pants. This means I wore dresses, skirts, and shorts with tights, boots and legwarmers. Layers are key to surviving. Sometimes you’ll look good, and other times you’ll look like a buffoon.

Me & my Trojan-attired friend Zach. Rocking the no-pants.

Unfortunately that’s the only picture I have of my trials.

I wouldn’t recommend doing this if you have a regular steady work job that requires a specific dress code. Things can get really complicated, especially if you run out of clothes or forget to do laundry for a week or two.

But for those interesting in trying this out for kicks, below are the rules & regulations my roommate and I agreed on:

1. No Pants November means no pants. The exceptions, however, are when you need pants for a job, or working out at the gym.
2. Sweatpants & pajama pants are acceptable ONLY IF worn inside the house.
3. Since leggings are not pants, you can wear them.
4. The event starts on November 1st and ends November 30th at 11:59 P.M.

The best part about No Pants November is sharing the idea with your friends. You’ll get a kicked out of the outfits they’ll pull together and watching them fight through the cold.

 

 

Tags: challenge, clothing, No Pants November, November, rules, weather

Post Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Thoughts

I love the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. I am a sucker for pretty, glitzy lingerie. And I absolutely love the props and costumes they made for this year’s show. The aquatic series was my favorite due to my affinity for mermaids and all things similar. But the superhero costumes were pretty kick-ass as well.

Aquatic Series

Aquatic Series: The Famous Fantasy Bra. $2.5 million. This one is my favorite. That shell is awesome!

Superhero Victoria's Angels?

I found the show to be entertaining. Again, I loved watching the models walk down the runway and I thought the interviews were a nice touch. I’m sad I didn’t get to see Heidi Klum though.

But the worst thing is after the show is over. Facebook starts blowing up; specifically, females update their status to something along the lines of “never eating again” or “thanks Victoria’s Secret, I feel fat.”

It really frustrates me. Look, I get it. I’m a girl too and I know we all have our insecure days where we think we look absolutely horrible. But let’s get this straight: it is useless to compare yourself to a model (especially Victoria’s Secret).

Now I don’t want to start on one of those beauty is only skin deep/our society has messed up values so I’ll just leave it at this: Everyone is beautiful in their own way and has their own idea of beauty. If you want to be/look like a VS model just know this–these girls have a rigorous, hardcore workout and eating schedule that keeps them in shape. They’re also under constant pressure to look as beautiful as they are portrayed. So unless you’re absolutely dedicated to making some minor or major changes to your lifestyle, or 3/4 of the way to looking like a VS bombshell DON’T COMPLAIN.

Ladies–you can appreciate beauty. And you can also learn how to love yourself and find your own beauty. What do you like most about yourself?

Besides–would you really be ok with being a sexual object in practically every man’s mind if you had to model underwear? Ehhh, I don’t think so.

Take these lyrics to heart (plus it’s a sick beat):

Tags: beauty, complaints, image, model, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2011

Midway to the End, Minor Reflections

It’s the middle of November. Less than a week until Thanksgiving. A little less than a full month until the semester ends. Half of my senior year will be over.

All these realizations kick in, and with them come a plethora of emotions and feelings: confusion, excitement, anxiety, hope etc.

It’s so strange to accept the fact that my education, at least my formal education, will be coming to an end, for the time being.

My time at college is limited. The four years fly by. Now is when I’m supposed to make the best of my time. Take the classes I want for fun, enjoy myself.

I don’t want to think to far into the future. It’s coming up way too fast. But it’s good to know I’m somewhat prepared.

 

Nightlife Socialization

Because this summer I turned 21, and because I think it’s the last summer of semi-freedom before reality kicks in, I’ve been making as many attempts as possible to go out. Once a week is fine enough.

So I went out a few nights ago to drink a little and dance a lot. My first stop was McFadden’s Saloon, an Irish pub by Grand Central. It was roomy and lively, with music playing, people dancing and a sweet drink special.

The only problem: it was so LOUD. I think it must be a new trend for the nightlife scene because everywhere I’ve been outside of a club, I can’t hear anything. It’s a struggle to have a conversation with people I’m hanging out with, never mind someone I’ve just met. This is why I never make any friends while I’m out–I’m unable to hear them.

And I’m not exaggerating about the volume of music either. It’s probably as loud as a live concert. Booming bass in one ear, drunken sing-screaming in the other.

Due to this situation though, I have perfected my yes-I’m-listening-nod and my I-think-what-you-might’ve-said-was-meant-to-be-a-joke-so-I’ll-laugh. These gestures at least give the appearance that I’m being social. It’s either that or have to ask “What? Can you repeat that?”

My question is this: why do pubs have to play the music so loud? I’m positive people want to be able to hear what other have to say. Or is that the art of conversation has diminished so much? I can understand the volume at a dance club, but not in a casual drinking setting.

The next time I go out, I’m going to look for a low-key, inexpensive, lounge setting. Those seem pretty chill.

Baby Clothes

Cleaning seems to be the theme of my life currently–reorganizing, throwing things away, donating the outgrown.

Today my mother made me sort through all my baby clothes, in case I have a kid of my own (say what?). I was

shocked by the amount of pink I wore as a child

 

shocked by how fashionable I was as a child and

 

shocked that I was picking out my potential child’s clothes at the age of 21

The clothes were cute but it was just so strange going through all of it. It was like acknowledging that I might start a family in the future, which I don’t know I will or want to.

Me be a mother? It’s a weird idea to process

My Own Place?

I’ve been furiously cleaning my room in an attempt to make it presentable; my roommate is coming to NY to visit me & she needs a place to stay.

I haven’t had anybody sleepover in my room, in my house since I was about 11. The living conditions of my space are partially the reason–I.am.messy.

But while I was cleaning, my mom gave me a furniture magazine. “See what you like,” she told me. So I flipped through this fancy catalog, taking note of all the modern furniture, the sleek designs, the odd architecture of the lamps and flower vases.

I think the majority of college kids dream of moving out of their parents’ place and living on their own. It is one of the reasons why students dorm–to get away and sample that independence. It is never a full sort of independence, but the experience of dorming helps one to gauge whether they are capable of doing it on their own. (Now studying abroad–that’s the closest you’ll ever get to independence within your college years).

Most of us are capable. And then come the dreams of our place; where it’ll be, what it’ll look like, who we’ll live with. All that stuff.

So when my mother handed me this magazine, I panicked a little. Was this a test? I knew I wanted to rent one of the apartments from my mother once I graduate, but I forgot it meant actually furnishing and decorating the space.

I’m not so sure I’m ready for that complete ownership.